---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: nitin.kar...@gmail.com Date: Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:49:50 +0000 Subject: Re: Re: [GB] g_b Are you straight or gay? To: "bombay-d...@yahoogro" <bombay-d...@yahoogroups.com>, "gaybom...@yahoogroups.com" <gaybom...@yahoogroups.com>
Actually, I and the rest of Bombay Dost group saw ‘Straight‘ a few weeks ago but Bombay Dost is organising a special Sunday High screening of the film in association with the producers, IDREAM Pictures, this weekend. We would have loved to have the screening as an open event, like all Sunday Highs, but this event is unfortunately by invitation only because of limited capacity, so apologies in advance to people in Bombay. ‘Straight’ is a comedy, but not a laugh out loud film, like Parvati Balagopalan’s previous ‘Rules'. The main message of the film, to my mind, is that it's okay to be whatever you are; don't be self-conscious -- hang loose, give a hang about what others will think about you. What I would highlight briefly is that: Straight has none of the stereotypes and caricatures that you see in Bollywood films all the time. There's no attitude of looking down upon homosexuality, of labelling it as deviant or confusing it with impotency, child sex abuse, runaway sexual libido, etc. It is also a funny, critical look at patriarchy and the pseudo-Indian morals of Hindi soaps. Plus it raises a flag for women's equality without being preachy. I think, when it is released on 21 March, it will be the first mainstream film to feature a real lip-to-lip (not a French kiss though) between guys. Of course, my colleagues in Bombay Dost had other views about the film, but we see no reason to pan it. Here’sa synopsis of “Straight -- Pinu ki tedhi medhi love story” (from the film’s producers) if it interests you: In the midst of central London, a successful Indian restaurant called ‘Gaylord’ is run by a Londoner of Indian origin called Pinu. A simple soul at heart, Pinu has many complexes – a special one being that he is a virgin and has experienced no intimacy with a woman. To top that, his biggest fear is to be laughed at by people… an ever-repeating phenomenon with him. Pinu is quite an introvert and has no real friends…the closest he has ever gotten to a friendship is with his foster brother Rajat, who is quite a contrast to his own personality –A casual air about him, he is the lead singer of a rock band. Rajat is very fond of Pinu, though is often a source of annoyance to him as he finds Pinu really funny. One day, a young Indian fellow called Kamlesh comes to his restaurant and asks for a job as a stand-up comedian. Quite thrown off, Pinu initially refuses but finally lets him join as a cook, who also does a stand-up act in the evenings. On the same day, he hires a new cashier - Renu, a young art student from India, who has a passion for caricatures. Life changes dramatically for Pinu as Gaylord begins to transform… Renu works on the look of the place, makes cheerful caricatures for customers while Kamles is a fabulous cook with a great talent for making people laugh in his acts and soon the restaurant is more happening and the business is much better. But the greatest difference they bring to his life is friendship. There is a visible difference in Pinu’s personality now as he lets himself hang out a bit with them. One fine day, Pinu is thrown in to a daze as he walks away from the restaurant …he has discovered a totally new fear – he might be Gay!! Pinu seeks refuge in Rajat’s advice which is quite simply – screw a woman! On a mission now, Pinu goes on a rampage seeking available women for a sexual rendezvous. However, it leads to him suffering another string of tragicomic situations, ending up feeling humiliated…and laughed at! ‘Straight!!’ is a funny tale about Pinu, who struggles with himself, his fears and his complexes, to ‘come out’ as straight and find himself a love story. On Mar 5, 2009 12:45pm, Vikram <vg...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > > > Guys chill. This film is directed by Parvati Balagopalan who previously > directed Rules: Pyar Ka Superhit Formula, which not only had an openly > gay couple, but gave one of the guys an amazing total gay rights speech > that stood out from the fluffy comedy in the rest of the film. > > > Most amazingly of all, it gave the couple a happy ending, as the one > who's under pressure to get married, stands up to his parents and ditches > the girl (who, from her expression, greatly approves of this) and goes > off with his partner in the end. > > So while that doesn't guarantee this film will be as good or free from > stereotypes - as I said with Dostana, this is Bollywood here, which > stereotypes EVERYTHING, so lets not expect special treatment - the > chances are it will be quite a supportive film. Nitin, Kris, looking > forward to your views after the screening. > > > Vikram > --- In gaybom...@yahoogroups.com, Sanjay Lulla wrote: > > > > I read in TOI that Nitin Karani with a few friends was invited to > preview the movie and I dont know what HIS Majesty's reactions are as > yet. Maybe HIS Worship will blog it. I have reasons to understand that > the movie has His Royal Highness's stamp of approval. > > > > My Kind Lord if you would kindly spare a few of your precious seconds > and inform people about the movie. > > > > In etertnal grattitude. > > little prince-Sanjay N Lulla > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: Nagarjun Rao > > To: gaybom...@yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 12:09:03 PM > > Subject: Re: [GB] g_b Are you straight or gay? > > > > > > What is this new movie "Straight" about ? Is it some kind of sarcasm > about being gay or bringing out the gay thing in a different way (just > like dostana) > > > > Is Indian cinema opening up by making more movies on gays ? Will it > bring more public awareness and eventually help gays come out of the > closet ? > > > > Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger. > yahoo.com/ invite/ > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > -- My blog's at: http://queerindia.blogspot.com You can leave me a voice message from any phone at http://www.jaxtr.com/nitinkarani No call charges apply. ------------------------------------ Group Site: http://www.gaybombay.in http://www.gaybombay.info ========================== This message was posted to the gay_bombay Yahoo! Group. Responses to messages (by clicking "Reply") will also be posted on the eGroup and sent to all members. 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